SECTION 1 CHRISTIANITY- TOPIC 1.1.8 SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF EVIL AND SUFFERING IN THE WORLD Flashcards
Biblical responses to the problem
Many Christians believe that there is no point in worrying about the problem of evil because humans cannot understand God’s reasons for doing things.
Parable which would be a good biblical response to the problem.
Book of Job in the Old Testament. Job was a
sinless man who worshipped God faithfully. However, Satan argued with God that Job only worshipped him because God had given him a good life and that if his good life disappeared he would then stop worshipping God. God did not believe this and so allowed Satan to remove Job’s good life and afflict him with terrible diseases. Job asked God why this was happening to him and demanded that God should speak to him directly. However, when Job came face to face with God and was presented with his greatness and holiness, he realised that God is so great, humans have no right to question him. God must have a reason for allowing evil and suffering, but people cannot understand the reason.
Second Parable which would be a good biblical response to the problem.
the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament.
The Psalms show that suffering is intended
to be a part of life and many of the Psalms tell of good, religious people suffering, but the Psalms show that life is more than suffering. The other side of suffering is joy and in the Psalms suffering and joy go side by side.
The Psalms also show that suffering…
+
SOWAA
can bring believers to a deeper knowledge of God, as shown in Psalm
“was good for me to be afflicted so that I
might learn your decrees.”
What helps Christians to cope with the problem?
Having God’s help and strength
Theoretical responses to the problem
free will response is how many Christians claim that evil and suffering are not God’s fault.
A theoretical response to why there’s evil and suffering including SOWAA
Genesis 1, God created humans in his image, which means he created them with free will. Christians believe that God wanted people to be free to decide whether to believe in him or not; he did not want to force them to worship him. So when God created free people, he could not create people who always did good because such people would not be free. Creating free people has brought evil and suffering into the world, but
the evil and suffering are problems caused by humans misusing their free will, and so are not God’s fault.
Theoretical reasonable response to why people believe in God regardless of evil
part of a plan in which those who suffer will be rewarded by eternal paradise after they die. Most Christians claim that this life is a preparation for paradise.If people are to improve their souls, they need to face evil and suffering
Vale of soul making response (theoretical)
response’. God
created this world as a place for
people to develop their souls./the idea
that God gave people this life to
make their souls good enough
for heaven
They claim that the evil and
suffering of this life are things God
cannot remove if he is going to
give people the chance to become
good people. But, in the end, he
will show his omnibenevolence and omnipotence by rewarding them in heaven.
Practical responses to the problem
Many Christians believe that they should respond to evil and suffering in practical ways.
All Christians believe that they
should respond to the problem by helping those who suffer and trusting in God for the answer to the problem.
SOWAA for Practical responses to the problem
The life of Jesus in the Gospels shows that even God’s own
son had to suffer, and that Jesus commanded his followers to respond to suffering by helping those who suffer.
What does The New Testament teach about the practical response as a SOWAA
The New Testament teaches Christians that Jesus regarded evil and suffering as something to be fought. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, challenged those who were evil, and even raised the dead. Christians feel that they should follow the example of
Jesus .
How can Christians follow Jesus and fight against evil and suffering by:
Praying for those who suffer. Christians believe that prayer is a very powerful way of responding to the problem. They believe that by praying for those who suffer, God will ensure that the right type
of relief for their suffering is provided.
What type of prayer can Christians do in order to fight against evil and suffering and provide relief and help?
Intercessionary prayers
Catholic Christians would see this
especially in the prayers offered during pilgrimage to Lourdes and
Protestant Christians in the healing services held in many churches.
Offering practical help to those who suffer. Jesus did not just pray and preach, what else did he do?
he healed the sick, brought sight to the blind and fed the
hungry. Christians believe that they should follow Jesus’ example and respond to evil in a practical way. As a result, many Christians try to overcome evil and suffering by becoming doctors, nurses, social workers and so on, so that they can help to reduce the amount of suffering in the world. Christians also donate to charities and organisations dedicated to providing help to those suffering from problems of evil
